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An uber good win for Uber

The appeal has been heard after the Transport for London’s decision not to renew Uber’s license because of security and public safety. It all started in December 2017 for the Westminster Magistrates Court to see whether Uber is fit and proper to have a license to operate in London.

Apparently, the more detailed reason that the license was stripped from Uber, was because of complaints that they were not doing proper background checks on their drivers. There were even complaints made about sexual assault on women passengers and that there were not adequate investigations made when complaints of assault were being claimed.

Uber were allowed to keep working in and around London until this appeal had been heard, which has also given them more time to make some changes to help support their appeal. They have formed new driver advisory groups, had new insurance policies that allow their drivers in Europe to have sickness and maternity pay, but also introduced three new non-executive directors to their board.

It can now be put to rest, since the decision was made to grant Uber their license again, and they were given a fifteen-month probationary licence. This agreement is not what Uber had originally applied for, which was a five-year license agreement.

Uber paid costs of around £425,000 and accepted that the Transport of London revoking their license was justified and that they have “since acknowledged and apologised for their past mistakes and made far-reaching changes to address them”. Uber’s General Manager for the UK, Tom Elvidge ended with “We are pleased with today’s decision. We will continue to work with TfL to address their concerns and earn their trust, while providing the best possible service for our customers.”

It wasn’t all cheers though, when Steve McNamara from the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) said in a statement that “We’re disappointed that the court has sided with Uber and the firm has been given a 15-month licence to operate in London. Uber’s blatant disregard for TfL’s regulations and public safety was laid before the court. When TfL’s lawyers grilled Uber on its handling of the 2016 data breach and its shocking failure to report sexual assaults to the police, Uber just blamed its tainted past on its former leadership.”

He also suggested that this fight isn’t over, by saying “The justice system has failed Londoners today and let an aggressive multinational corporation win. Uber is not a fit and proper operator and the LTDA will be consulting its lawyers as to how we can hold it to account and keep streets safe for Londoners.”

Keep your eyes peeled for further updates on this matter. It may not be over yet.

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